The Don
This fly is named after a very good Australian friend – Don Urquhart. Originally tied to represent the Tasmanian Highland Mayfly, which hatches prolifically during the summer months, it is also very successful when March Brown’s are on the water.
Common on the rocky rivers of northern UK, this fly has close relations around the world. Here in the UK it hatches generally sometime between mid-day and mid afternoon (and is often confused with the False Brown) during March and April. It is difficult to be precise as weather changes have a great influence on when they start to appear and for how long.
This is a large up wing fly for the Northern Rivers. With a body up to 15mm its tails can be as long as 30mm. The natural dun has a dark brown body with pale yellow-straw banding.